Boys cross-country: Ocean County season in review, 2011

Runner of the year: After his cross-country season two years ago, Matt Nelson of Barnegat had future star written all over him.

Understandably so since he finished sixth in the state Group 2 race and then ran 16:18, one of the top freshman times ever run at Holmdel Park, to place 24th at the Meet of Champions.

David Gard/For The Star-LedgerMatt Nelson of Barnegat is The Star-Ledger's Ocean County boys cross-country Runner of the Year for 2011.

But then he got derailed by a series of injuries.

During the spring of his freshman year, Nelson broke his foot running the 1,600 at the Ocean County Championships, ending his season. Then last fall he had a deep hip adhesion during the dual meet season that slowed him down the rest of the season. Last winter he strained his calf, which again affected his performances.

But all those setbacks fueled Nelson's fire heading into this fall.

``I felt like I had a lot of things to prove to myself,'' said Nelson, now a junior. ``I train very hard and I knew I was capable of more. After having a pretty successful freshman season and then coming up a little short last year due to injuries, I felt like I was letting myself down. I knew I could be a better runner, which really motivated me this season.''

Finally healthy and in in great shape, Nelson showed all that potential.

Nelson, who won the Ocean County title, captured the South Jersey, Group 2 championship in 15:52, finished first at the state Group 2 meet in 16:19, and then ripped a 15:58, one of the fastest times ever for an Ocean County runner at Holmdel Park, to place 11th at the Meet of Champions.

Nelson capped his memorable season by finishing 16th overall, third among underclassmen, and fourth among New Jersey runners in 16:23.7 at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Championships.

``It was very satisfying to win my first state cross country title, at first I was nervous because everyone put me as the underdog in that race,'' said Nelson. ```One of my main goals was to break 16 at Holmdel, and I am very happy to have accomplished that. After my group race, I felt like I was holding back, and the next week I did what I wanted to do. I met most of the goals that I wanted to accomplish this season, and I am most proud of my Foot Locker race because I placed so high compared to the week prior at the M of C against good Jersey runners.''

Nelson said the whole key to his success was his health and a different method of training to ensure he remained 100 percent.

``I am a lot more experienced as a runner now and my coach (Joe Doviak) and I have changed my training where I am no longer putting in 70+ miles a week,'' said Nelson. `` Perhaps the biggest change in my training was picking and choosing which races I should run. I am a team player and always want to help the team, but I just needed to be smarter to avoid feeling run-down by championship season. With the change in my training, I avoided those overuse injuries and had a great season.''

Team and coach of the year: Southern Regional, under coach Scott Baker, won its second straight Ocean County title, 80-116, over runner-up Msg. Donovan. Lacey was third with 133.

Southern's top-five runners all finished in the top 24. Eric Dragonetti ended fourth in 16:02, David Marino 16th in 16:45, Sean Howley 19th in 16:50, Steve Mershon 21st in 16:54, and Troy Gifford, 24th in 16:57.

Southern also finished third in South Jersey, Group 4 with 121 points, the same total as runner-up Shawnee.

Surprise of the year: Sam Haber had a solid freshman season at Point Pleasant Boro. He finished 10th at the Ocean County Championships in 16:30, placed 35th in 16:26 at the Shore Conference Championships, sixth in Central Jersey, Group 2 in 16:40, and 37th at the state Group 2 meet in 17:28.

Mr. Consistency: Every time Noah Jacobs of Lacey took the line, there was one thing that was pretty certain - he would produce a good race.

Jacobs, a senior, was a reliable front runner all fall. He won the Stud Division at the Central Jersey Shootout at Thompson Park in 16:29, finished second at the Ocean County Championships in 15:41, ninth at the Shore Conference meet in 15:34, third in the South Jersey, Group 3 race in 15:52, fifth at the state Group 3 meet in 16:29, and 49th at the Meet of Champions in 16:38.